Job site CareerCast recently released its annual ranking of 200 jobs in the country, based on hiring outlook, income, stress and environment.
Criteria for the list also included income potential, competitiveness, required stamina, amount of public contact and hazardous conditions.

Here's a look at CareerCast's 10 worst jobs, followed by its 10 best jobs.

Worst jobs

10. Flight attendant ranked as the 10th worst job in the country for its high stress and low median annual salary of $37,740. The market for this job is also expected to flatline in coming years, with airlines shrinking and consolidating staff. less

Job site CareerCast recently released its annual ranking of 200 jobs in the country, based on hiring outlook, income, stress and environment. Criteria for the list also included income potential, ... more

This job is suffering from one of the fastest professional declines due to technology, in which machines now transmit data electronically. Meter readers make $36,400 a year in what CareerCast called "an isolated and often thankless career."

The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects this job market to shrink by 8 percent in coming years, with more small farms going out of business. CareerCast called the profession "physically unpleasant" and "possibly dangerous." Median annual salary: $60,750.

Although fracking has provided some job growth, the rise in sustainable energy has taken a chunk out of the oil-rig job market. Long hours, remote locations and many potential physical hazards made this job CareerCast's fifth-worst job in the country. Annual salary: $37,640.

Making a living as a full-time actor is "one of the most difficult career paths" one can choose, CareerCast said. Actors make a median wage of $17.44 an hour in a market expected to grow by just 4 percent in coming years.

Logging is one of the most dangerous professions in America, one in which 64 loggers died from work-related injuries in 2011. Remote locations, low pay, constant physical hazards and tepid job growth (4 percent through 2020) made this profession No. 2 for worst job in America.

. After declining dramatically during the recession, newspapers are expected to continue losing jobs at a rate of 6 percent per year through 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. CareerCast said the job's grim outlook, shrinking budgets, stressful deadlines, lack of income growth and low pay made this the worst job in America. Median salary is $36,000.

And now for a look at CareerCast's 10 best jobs. These jobs scored well due to high pay, low stress, robust hiring prospects and a healthy work environment. Most have an expected market growth of at least 30 percent through 2020, largely due to work related to aging Baby Boomers.

Best jobs

10. Computer systems analyst: This job came in as the 10th best job in the country as more businesses move from hard copies to digital files. The pay is also good, with a median salary of $77,740. less

And now for a look at CareerCast's 10 best jobs. These jobs scored well due to high pay, low stress, robust hiring prospects and a healthy work environment. Most have an expected market growth of at least 30 ... more

Photo: Bjdlzx, Getty Images

And now for a look at CareerCast's 10 best jobs . These jobs... Photo-4517871.60940 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Best jobs

9. Physical therapist:

The job market for this profession can expect to grow by nearly 40 percent to meet the demand of an aging population. Annual salary is $76,310.

Best jobs

9. Physical therapist:

The job market for this profession can expect to grow by nearly 40 percent to meet the demand of an aging population. Annual salary is $76,310.

This profession has come a long way since the days of those low-tech, beeping hearing checks at school. Boomers will lead the demand for more and better hearing aids, causing a projected job growth of 37 percent by 2020. Median salary: $66,660.

This field will grow by an astounding 62 percent by the year 2020, says the Labor Department. The growth in healthcare is making this a hot profession. Top hiring industries for this job? Imaging, pharmaceutical and medical crisis management. Median salary: $81,540.

. Actuaries assess risk probabilities, usually for insurance reasons. The pay and projected job growth for this field aren't the highest of CareerCast's top jobs, but actuaries have good job satisfaction and income potential, the site says. Obamacare has also helped create market demand. Median salary: $87,650.